Ever heard someone say "God willing and the creek don't rise?" It's folksy. It's charming. And honestly? It kind of drives me nuts.
The All-Purpose Escape Hatch
Let's be real. It's the ultimate "maybe." It's a verbal shrug disguised as piety. It's like saying, "Yeah, I might do that... unless something, anything, prevents me."
Suddenly, everything is up to forces beyond our control. Dinner? God willing and the creek don't rise. That promotion? You guessed it. Even brushing your teeth seems contingent on divine intervention and hydrological stability.
So, What's the Big Deal?
I know, I know. I'm being a bit dramatic. But here's the thing. Doesn't it feel a little... passive?
We plan, we strive, we set alarms. Then we toss it all to chance with a quaint little saying. Where's the hustle? Where's the gumption?
It's like saying, "I'll try, but mostly I'll leave it up to forces I can't influence." And that, my friends, feels like a recipe for lukewarm effort.
The Creek: A Convenient Scapegoat
The creek, in particular, gets a bad rap. I mean, what did the creek ever do to you?
It's just sitting there, minding its own business, maybe carrying a few leaves downstream. Suddenly, it's the barrier between you and your dreams. Thanks, creek!
Seriously, couldn't we blame something else for once? Like, "God willing and the squirrel doesn't short-circuit the power grid?" At least that would be original.
The Unpopular Opinion Zone
Okay, brace yourselves. Here's my unpopular opinion: let's ditch the phrase.
Instead of relying on cosmic alignment, how about we commit? Say, "I'll be there." Or even a simple, "I'll do my best."
Let's take ownership. Let's be the masters of our own destinies (or at least pretend to be).
Alternative Endings (That Don't Involve Creeks)
Need a replacement for the phrase? I've got a few ideas.
Try, "With a little elbow grease, I'll get it done." Or, "I'm going to make it happen, come hell or high water...or a moderately swollen creek."
Even better: just leave it at "God willing." That acknowledges faith without implying waterways are plotting against your success.
A Plea for Proactive Living
Look, I'm not anti-faith. Not at all. I just think we can be both faithful and proactive.
We can trust in a higher power while also taking responsibility for our actions. We can pray for smooth sailing but also learn to navigate choppy waters.
So, next time you're tempted to invoke the almighty and the unassuming creek, maybe pause. Consider if you can shift from passive observer to active participant. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself – and keep the creek out of it.
Maybe God wants us to actually *do* things, not just wait for *stuff* to happen. Just a thought.
And maybe, just maybe, that's a more entertaining story anyway, *right*?
